Our Partners

Business Tampere (2)
startup tampere
FiBAN
city of tampere
Tribe Tampere
startup world cup (2)
pegasus tech ventures
verosatama
pirkanmaan yrittajat
veeras productions (2)
proakatemia
Tavara-asema Tampere
Tangently

About Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup is a series of global startup conferences and pitch competitions powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, featuring 100+ regional events across 60+ countries. These events lead to our 2026 Startup World Cup Grand Finale, where winning startups from each regional event will compete for a $1M prize! The Grand Finale is being held in San Francisco (USA) on November 6th, 2026. 

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm headquartered in Silicon Valley (USA), managing over $2B in assets. Pegasus provides intellectual and financial capital to emerging technology companies worldwide and supports their expansion in North America, Asia, and Europe through their unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model, partnering with global corporations to invest in cutting-edge startups. Corporate partners include SEGA, ASUS, AISIN, Niterra, and Sojitz, with access to an extensive portfolio of 290+ companies, including SpaceX, Airbnb, SoFi, Robinhood, and many more.
13.9.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

21.9.

TOP 10 ANNOUNCEMENT

15.10.

REGIONAL FINALE TAMPERE

4.-6.11.

GRAND FINALE SAN FRANCISCO

Program

Tampere 15.10.2026

14.00-14.20

Welcoming words

Eija Ranua, CEO, Rise Finland 
Startup World Cup Ambassador

14.20-16.00

Expert speeches focused on growth, internationalization, and financing

In the morning program, you’ll hear from some of the sharpest minds in growth, international expansion, and financing. The fast-paced 20-minute talks are built around the Achilles’ heels of startups—giving you answers to questions you didn’t even know you should be asking. If you miss this, you won’t just miss an event—you’ll miss the kind of insights you’ll be catching up on for a long time. 

16.00-18.00

Pitching competition & Award Ceremony

10 of Finland’s top startups will compete at Tavara-asema (pitches 4 min + Q&A 2 min). The winner will get the opportunity to pitch for the €1M grand prize at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, in November.

18.00-00.00

After Party

After the awards are handed out, Tavara-asema shifts into something entirely different — a glowing after-party universe where ideas, ambition, and celebration collide. In this atmosphere, you’ll meet people who might quietly change the trajectory of your future, raise a glass of signature cocktails crafted for the night, and step into the rare energy of a startup scene celebrating not just wins, but what comes next. 

Star performer: Jose Carlos

Pitch Competition Judges

noora fagerstrom rise startup world cup

Noora Fagerström

National Coalition Party Parliamentary Group 
Member of Parliament, Entrepreneur & Angel Investor 
 
Noora Fagerström is a Member of Parliament for the National Coalition Party, an entrepreneur, and an angel investor. In 2010, she founded Jungle Juice Bar, a smoothie chain that has become well known across Finland. As a Member of Parliament, Noora is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship and works to create better conditions for building successful companies and driving sustainable economic growth in Finland. 

tuomas pahlman

Tuomas Pahlman

hopohopop.io
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor 

Tuomas Pahlman is a startup founder, business angel, and founder of Hopohopo.io with over a decade of experience scaling high-growth startups, achieving two exits, and supporting more than 20 startups from Seed to Series C. With expertise in product-market fit, growth, fundraising, and international scaling, he brings hands-on experience from both startup leadership and global digital development in a Fortune 500 company.

petri laine business tampere

Petri Laine

Business Tampere
Senior Business Advisor, Funding 

Petri has over 20 years of experience in the private equity market, growth company financing, board and strategy work, and corporate transactions. His role is to support growth companies in raising financing and to strengthen Business Tampere’s investor network.

Speakers

Voice of Finland Jose Carlos

Jose Carlos

Voice of Finland
Winner 

Jose Carlos, winner of The Voice of Finland 2026, will perform at the official Startup World Cup Tampere afterparty. Fresh off his victory, Jose Carlos is known for his energetic live performances and captivating stage presence.

Hanna Rantala VeroSatama

Hanna "Tax Hanna" Rantala

VeroSatama

CEO

Tax Hanna specializes in resolving complex corporate tax issues, including corporate restructurings such as share exchanges, mergers, and demergers.

Eija Ranua RISE

Eija Ranua

RISE
CEO 

Eija Ranua is passionate about supporting growth entrepreneurship. RISE is a movement accelerating Finland’s economic growth by strengthening companies’ financing capabilities, improving capital allocation to Finnish businesses, and enhancing collaboration across the growth entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Patron of the competition

IlmariNurminen_(Web)

Ilmari Nurminen
Mayor of Tampere 

Mayor Ilmari Nurminen is the official Patron of the Startup World Cup Tampere competition.

“Tampere is a strong city for growth companies, and we want to create the best possible conditions for new ideas, entrepreneurship, and international growth. Bringing the Startup World Cup to Tampere strengthens the city’s position as a platform for innovation and international networks,” says Nurminen.

According to Nurminen, the event provides valuable opportunities for Finnish growth companies to develop, build networks, and expand internationally:

“I believe that through openness, collaboration, and equal opportunities, we can build sustainable growth – in Tampere and across Finland.”

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FAQ

  • Important Info About the Pitch Competition

    Apply for the pitch competition via this link by September 13. 

    TOP 10 applicants selected for the pitch competition will be announced September 21.
     

    The Top 10 finalists will pitch live at Tavara-asema in Tampere on October 15.

    The winner of the Tampere Regional Competition will earn a place in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, taking place on November 4–6, where startups will compete for the $1 million grand prize. 

    In addition, Rise Finland Oy will cover the winner's flights and accommodation in San Francisco!

  • Registration

    The event is free of charge for pre-registered participants. Register here! 

  • Languange

    Stage program at the event will be held in English.

  • Venue Addresss
    Ratapihankatu 33, 33100 Tampere

  • Getting here & Parking

    Public Transport
    Tavara-asema is located in the heart of Tampere with excellent public transport connections. The nearest bus stops are on Itsenäisyydenkatu, Rautatienkatu, and Hämeenkatu. The closest tram stops are Tulli and Rautatieasema (Central Railway Station). For routes, schedules, and real-time information, visit Nysse or use the Nysse Mobile app or use Nysse Route Planner to find the best route.

    By Train
    Tavara-asema is located right next to Tampere Central Railway Station, making it one of the easiest event venues to reach by train. From the station, Tavara-asema is just a short walk (5 minutes) away via Rongankatu or the pedestrian underpasses connecting the station area.

    By Long-Distance Bus
    From Tampere Bus Station, Tavara-asema is approximately 1 km away.

    By Air
    Tampere–Pirkkala Airport is located about 17 km from downtown Tampere. A local bus service connects the airport directly to the city center. 

    By Taxi 
    There are many cab companies operating in Tampere including Taxi Tampere, Uber and Bolt.


    Parking
    For visitors arriving by car, several parking facilities are located within a short walking distance of Tavara-asema, including P-Hämppi, P-Tullintori and Technopolis Asemakeskus. 

  • Accessibility

    Getting to Tavara-asema with mobility aids is easy and accessible. The main entrance, cloakroom, and all spaces on the ground floor are fully accessible. Drop-off traffic is available via Murtokatu. Tavara-asema has gender-neutral restroom facilities. On the first floor, there is one accessible toilet.

    If you have any questions regarding accessibility, inclusion, or equality, please feel free to contact us in advance by email at tavara-asema(at)kulttuurikamari.fi. 

Be in the room when the future is shaped

These people are shaping the future of startups and growth.
Don’t just watch it happen—be part of it.
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